Angel Incarnate: Second Sight (15 page)

Not waiting for his response,
she turned and headed back to the governor’s home. She could hear Richard
sniggering in the background, and hastened her pace.

By the time Aura
arrived at the garden, Rita, Jessica, and the boys had returned from their
walk. After telling them about her encounter with Richard, and describing the
stranger, Joshua seemed certain of his identity.

“I don’t know his name,
but he sounds like the same person who met with Richard yesterday. Caspian and
I assumed he was one of my brother’s business acquaintances. I can’t understand
why he would be in that part of town. Most of those houses have been abandoned
for years. There are only a couple of outcasts who live there now. It’s
possible you picked up one of their scents.”

“No – the dark wings
have a distinctive odor. In fact…” She was about to tell them about Lucifer’s
visit to Aeden when she stopped herself.

“If this guy wasn’t
meeting your brother today, why else would he be in Utopia? He has to know the
Guild is here for the wedding. My bet is he came to see Richard. No offense,”
Jessica said to Joshua, “but your big brother gives me the creeps.”

Joshua laughed. “None
taken – the truth is Richard gives a lot of people the creeps.”

“Let’s not tell anyone
about this until I speak to Dad. If Richard is friendly with a fallen angel,
that could pose a serious threat. Mom may have to reinforce the wards around
the colony,” Aura warned.
 

Aura really didn’t know
Will and Joshua well enough to trust them completely. Hopefully, they would
keep their promise and not mention the uninvited guest to the governor.

There is no reason to frighten the children; the dark wing’s
visit may have nothing to do with them.

The Guild had been
sociable with some of the Utopians, but there was only a handful Paul and Adam
trusted.

Aura sensed whatever
Lucifer was planning, would involve her family. Hopefully, her visions would
give her enough warning to keep them and her friends safe. She vowed to protect
the orphans with her life, and though Aura didn’t know it then, Bren and Tracy
had already made the same promise.

When she returned to
their table, Aura noticed some of the children yawning. “It’s still afternoon
in Aeden; you’ll have time for a nap before supper.”

“Don’t worry; since most of the
guests are already gone, the chefs are making us goody bags to take home. You
won’t have to cook tonight,” Bren said. None of the children wanted to run into
Meredith or Desiree again, especially after what happened to Reaghan. If they
left now, they could avoid any more trouble.

Richard was about to
follow Aura back to his father’s home, when he caught a glimpse of a woman at
the far end of the dirt road. The silk scarf she wore kept her face hidden,
making it impossible to identify her.

Who are you and why are you in Utopia?

Wondering if her
presence had anything to do with Samhael’s visit, Richard walked towards her.
She didn’t seem afraid and continued to narrow the space between them. When she
was finally standing in front of him, her scarf opened just enough to catch a
glimpse of her deformed face.

Richard wasn’t the
least bit repulsed by her appearance, and maintained a neutral expression. He
recognized the same droopy eyes, lop--sided mouth, and crooked nose on some of
the outcasts who lived in the small village – the result of a dreadful curse.

As he studied her more
closely, it became obvious the woman came from wealth. Despite her ghastly
condition; her clothes were expensive, and she carried herself like someone
with authority. The scarf failed to cover her long, golden blonde hair which
fell in loose curls, almost touching her waist.

You must have been breathtaking once.
What
did you do to deserve such a fate
?

“I’m looking for the
governor. Can you direct me to his home?” the woman asked.

“What business would
you have with my father?”

“My name is Mahlyssa. I
heard a rumor my husband, Virgil, was staying in one of these houses. Are you
acquainted with him?”

Not wanting to give up
any information until he was certain of Mahlyssa’s intentions, Richard was
inclined to lie. “I’m Henry’s eldest son, Richard. Regrettably, Virgil hasn’t
been here for some time. None of us were even aware he had a wife. I mean no
disrespect, but was he responsible for your unsightly appearance?”

She loosened her scarf
and allowed it to drop to her shoulders. “You must know there are some of us
who have the abilities to cast spells? We are called Enchantors.”

Richard nodded. If
Mahlyssa intended to shock him, she would have to try harder. He had seen far
worse things in his life.

“My father, Marcus, was
a powerful and vindictive man, and my husband became suspicious of him.”

Mahlyssa took a
handkerchief out of her dress pocket and dabbed her eyes.

“Three years after our
daughter’s birth, Virgil took her away. My father became so incensed, he cursed
me. He promised to remove the spell, and let us live in peace, if Virgil gave
up his wings. You see, my father suspected there was something special about
Virgil’s blood.”

“I’ve never known your
kind to have wings.”

Mahlyssa smiled.
“Before he joined us, Virgil was an angel. He agreed to my father’s demands,
but after the wings were severed, they turned to ash. Thinking he had been
betrayed, my father refused to remove the curse, and I was left with this
repulsive face.”

“Why didn’t you remove
the curse yourself?”

“I promised my mother I
would never practice black magic, but honestly, my father never taught me those
kinds of spells.” She sighed, “After the angels heard what happened, they sent
the Guild to kill my father. I returned to Ireland to settle his estate, and
then took up residence in New York.”

“I may know someone who
can be of assistance. Where should I contact you if I have any news?”

Mahlyssa reached into
her pocket and pulled out a card. “I rarely leave the house, so you can find me
there on most days. Do you think you can find Virgil? I would like to know what
happened to our daughter. I haven’t seen her in over thirty years.”

“I’ll do my best to
help,” Richard said.

She clasped his hands.
“Thank you, and if there is anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to
ask. I should be on my way. I don’t want the servants to worry.”

Mahlyssa waved goodbye
and walked beyond the trees where she vanished.

It was a stroke of luck that Virgil was out of town today.
I’ll keep his wife’s visit a secret for now.
 
I may have a use for her talents in the future.

As Richard headed back
to the wedding, he couldn’t help smiling.

Yes – she could become very useful
.

Chapter 21

Though Samhael was
disappointed in leaving Utopia before he spoke to Richard, he was glad Grendel
warned him about Aura’s presence. He wasn’t sure how the angel-blood knew he
was in Utopia, but at least he was able to avoid a confrontation, which would
have seriously hurt his plans.

Considering his
options, he decided to take Mehri to Aeden tonight. He contacted his daughter,
and asked her to stock the cottage with food and clothing in anticipation of
Mehri’s arrival.

Passing the gates, and
maneuvering through the corridors once more, he came upon Lucifer’s private
chambers.

Hopefully, he’ll understand the change in plans.

After knocking on the
door, Samhael waited a few seconds before one of the servants let him in.
Lucifer and Mehri were still in the living room, sipping a glass of wine.

“Samhael, I wasn’t
expecting you until morning. Have a seat and enjoy some of this wonderful
Merlot.” He poured another glass and motioned for him to take one of the
chairs. “Is something wrong?”

“Mortriel and I agreed
to have Grendel prepare the cabin for the Abyvir. I went to Utopia, hoping to
meet with Richard. Unfortunately, Avriel sensed my presence and came looking
for me.”

“So, you have confirmed
that she is alive?”

“Yes, your reports were
correct. She calls herself Aura now.”

“I did warn you to be
discreet,” Lucifer said.

Samhael bent his head; not
wanting to endure the scrutiny of Lucifer’s probing eyes. “Grendel warned me
ahead of time. I swear -- Aura didn’t recognize me.”

“It seems the girl has
retained her second sight. How else could she know you were there?”

“That seems to be the
six million dollar question.” He emptied the glass and put it on the table.

Mehri looked at her
husband, her eyes pleading. “I don’t think I should go to Aeden. Samhael is a
powerful angel. If this girl knows about his actions, she will be expecting
me.”

Her head dropped, but
she could feel the pressure of Lucifer’s hand on her arm. “Let’s not jump to
conclusions. We don’t know Aura knew about Samhael’s visit. Perhaps, she was
just curious and wanted to explore Utopia.”

“You may be right, but
we can’t exclude the fact she is Eve’s daughter. We know her mother and sister
have the second sight. If she is the reincarnation of Avriel, she will have the
same powers.”

Lucifer lifted Mehri’s
chin and cupped it in his hand. “We’ll continue with our plans, and if Samhael
has any reservations about your safety, he will return you to me. The more we
learn about Aura through her friend, the better prepared we will be for an
attack.”

“I was hoping to take
Mehri to the bungalow tonight,” Samhael said. “I’ve already made arrangements
for supplies to be stocked. If she has need of anything else, I can have it
delivered.”

Mehri wanted to wait,
but she didn’t want to disappoint her husband.

“Let me change and pack
a few of my belongings.” She walked into the bedroom, closing the door quietly.

Samhael promised to keep me safe. It may be good to get away
from Mortriel for a short time. Lucifer has forbidden him to go to Aeden.

Slipping out of her
night gown, Mehri exchanged it for a long-sleeved, black velvet frock. Maryland
would be cool this time of year. Since being gone so long, she wondered if she
would be immune to the cold temperatures.

After carefully
selecting a few other gowns and placing them in a carpet bag, she looked around
the room one last time.
I wonder if I will
ever return
.

Mehri closed the door
and met Samhael in the living room. “I’m ready.”

Lucifer drew her into
his arms and kissed her passionately. When they broke free, he stepped back.

“Remember why you were
chosen. The information you gather may be our deliverance. You’ll find the
cottage isn’t far from where we first met. You won’t have any trouble
adapting.”

She smiled and gave a
slight nod. “I won’t disappoint you.”

Lucifer walked over to
Samhael and patted his back in a fatherly fashion. “I am placing her in your
care. There is no one I trust more. Keep me informed of any news.”

“You can count on me.”

Samhael extended his
arm, and as soon as Mehri took hold of it, they exited the room. When they were
near the gate, he leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “Do not be afraid.
You will be safe.”

“Lucifer trusts you
explicitly, so I will trust you too.”

After they cleared the
entrance, Samhael took her by the hand and they were immediately transported to
the cottage. “Does anything look familiar?” he asked.

Mehri smiled. “I grew
up about fifty miles from here.”

As they walked through
the front door, she stopped to take in the décor. It was obvious Samhael had
gone to a lot of trouble to make her feel comfortable and welcome.

The cherry wood and
leather furniture was similar to what she shared with Lucifer. Chantilly lace
curtains covered a large bay window in front of the house and a fire was
already burning in the brick fireplace.

Bowls of fresh mango,
kiwi, papaya, apples and oranges were spotted in the kitchen. Crystal vases
filled with fragrant roses, lavender and orchids were in the dining and living
rooms. Mehri couldn’t resist smelling the stems.

“I think you’ll be
comfortable,” Samhael said.

“It’s quite cozy.” She noticed
a picture of a young man wearing a white dinner jacket and black tuxedo pants,
in a gold frame on one of the tables. “Who’s this?”

“That is your son,
Byron. The photograph was taken on his eighteenth birthday.”

Mehri pulled the frame
to her chest and a tear slipped down her cheek.

Good, that’s exactly the reaction I was hoping for. She won’t
forget Paul killed her son
.

He grabbed her valise,
and she followed him into the master bedroom where an oversized canopy bed
awaited.

He pointed to an armoire
in the corner. “You’ll find clothing in there, but if it isn’t to your liking,
I’ll have it replaced. I realize you haven’t been here since the ‘40’s, so the
fashion has changed. Girls wear tight jeans and t-shirts now.”

Mehri knew about the
changes in style. Over the years she had seen the clothing of the young girls
who were brought to Hell. Lucifer never allowed her to wear jeans. In his
opinion, a proper lady would never wear anything casual.

She had centuries of
fashions to choose from, but Lucifer insisted Mehri wear sophisticated suits,
or fancy ball gowns. She was after all his wife, and needed to command respect
from the other women in Hell.

After placing the
picture on the nightstand, she walked over to the cupboard. When she opened the
door, she found a rack full of blouses, skirts, sweaters, slacks and blue
jeans.
 

Samhael opened the
dresser drawers to show her they were stocked with under garments and night
clothes.

“The bathroom is just
through here,” he said, pulling open a pair of French doors.

Mehri followed him into
the room which was almost as large as the sleeping quarters.

Arranged around the
beige marble garden tub were fancy glass bottles filled with perfumed soaps and
shampoos. Another vase of fresh flowers sat atop the vanity.

When a loud knock came
to the front door, Mehri nearly jumped out of her skin. She clutched Samhael’s
arm, fearing the angel-bloods had found her.

Samhael laughed. “Don’t
be alarmed; I’m expecting my daughter.”

“I wasn’t aware you had
any children.”

“My daughter was born
around the same time as your son. I have gone to a lot of trouble to keep her
identity hidden. If the Guild knew Stella was mine; they would look for a
reason to kill her. She’s lived here since her mother’s death, forty years ago.
I’m sure you will become fast friends.”

Mehri relaxed her grip
on Samhael’s arm, and then followed him to the living room. He opened the front
door to a middle –aged, grey-haired woman. With suitcase in hand; she greeted
him with a hug.

“Forgive me, but I was
under the impression angel-bloods didn’t age,” Mehri said.
 

“Stella is a Nephylim.
Unlike the angel-bloods, she doesn’t have the blessings of Heaven; therefore
she ages like any other mortal. She just celebrated her 53
^rd
birthday. She has another home not far from here, but I’ve asked her to stay
with you for a few days. She has already established a relationship with Aura’s
family and friends, especially the young priest. Plus, her knowledge about the
area will be invaluable to you.”

He placed the satchel
next to the couch. “Might I make a suggestion? If you’re going to pretend to be
one of the troubled teenagers, you may want to consider wearing your hair
short.”

Mehri’s mouth dropped
as she ran her fingers through her long blonde locks. “You want me to cut my
hair?”

“No – no, Stella will
take care of everything. She’s an amazing stylist. It’s your choice, but you
would be much more convincing with the proper hairstyle.”
 

“Don’t worry, Dearie;
you’ll still be beautiful. I guarantee, after I work my magic, you’ll look just
like a teenager again.”

Mehri thought about the
picture of her son, and then loosened her braid, allowing her hair to tumble
down to her waist.
  

“I have everything
ready,” Samhael said.

He led the two women
into one of the spare bedrooms, which was being used as a salon. After seating
Mehri in one of the two chairs situated next to a large sink, Stella began the
process of washing her long tresses.

“While you ladies are doing
your thing, I’ll have a look around the property.” Samhael excused himself and
Mehri listened to the front door open and close.

It took Stella less
than an hour to transform her into a young girl again. Staring at the extensive
strands of hair on the floor, Mehri ran her hands through her new shortened do.

“Let’s have a look,”
Stella said, after handing her a mirror.

Staring at her
reflection, Mehri fluffed her wispy bangs. Samhael was right; the style suited
her. With jeans and a t-shirt, no one would ever suspect she wasn’t a teenage
girl.

 
“I hardly recognize myself.”

Stella swept the floor
and dumped the hair into a wastebasket. “The cut brings out your beautiful
sapphire eyes. I’m happy you’re pleased.”

Samhael walked into the
room and handed his daughter a wad of cash. “Lucifer will be delighted.”

The grandfather clock
in the corner chimed one o’clock.

“I had no idea it was
so late; we have an appointment with the priest in the morning,” Stella told
Mehri. “Even though he hasn’t yet taken his vows, everyone calls him Father
Ryan. He is holding a meeting with the girls tomorrow. They usually arrive
mid-morning. You aren’t opposed to being in the basement of a church, are you?”

Mehri looked to Samhael
for an answer. “You may have heard you can’t walk on sacred ground, but that is
a myth. You’ll be perfectly safe. Stella has been working for the angel-blood’s
priest, Father Patrick, for ten years. He trusts her emphatically.”

After motioning for the
women to sit, Samhael poured each a glass of wine from the carafe on the table.
He filled his own glass, took a seat next to Lucifer’s wife, and leaned back
against the sofa.

“Now, I think we should discuss your
upcoming meeting with Aura’s friend.”